If you are about to be a college freshman, more than likely, you are looking for scholarships to help finance your education. Well, you're in luck – there are plenty of scholarships available specifically for freshmen on Unigo.com! This article will provide an overview of just some scholarships for college freshmen, including information on how to apply and how to meet eligibility requirements. So read on to learn more and start applying today!
It's never too early to get started. Scholarships for freshmen could assist with reducing student debts and reducing educational expenses such as tuition, living expenses, textbooks, laboratory fees, etc. The sooner you begin working toward it, the more you'll acquire benefits and the less money you'll have to pay off after your graduation.
$750
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 26
Deadline
Applicants for this scholarship must be 25 years of age or older and attending any degree-conferring, non-parochial educational college or university within Rhode Island. Students must demonstrate financial need; preference will be given to first-time applicants.
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$3,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current U.S. undergraduate students who are American Indian or Alaskan Native with proof of enrollment or descendancy. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$51,000
Award Amount
51
Awards
Mar 23
Deadline
The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is an engaging, in-depth, five-day summer program for 51 high school journalists (one from each state and the District of Columbia) who “dream, dare and do.”
Be the one to represent your state and join students from around the country at an exclusive, free Washington, D.C., journalism experience like no other.
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$3,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Bolton, Bolton Valley, Huntington, Jericho, Richmond, or Underhill. Students must demonstrate community service and good citizenship, academic achievement, and financial need.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available for Vermont high school seniors who plan to major in construction or engineering. Students must demonstrate financial need and academic achievement.
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$32,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for international students planning to attend Duquesne University. All international students applying to Duquesne by the priority deadline will be considered for this award and selection will be based on academic merit and financial need.
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$6,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who live within Lancaster County, Nebraska. Students must be a current graduating senior or a former graduate of Norris High School in Firth, Nebraska, and enroll or plan to enroll for 12 credit hours or more per semester.
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont students who are planning to attend a two-year vocational/technical postsecondary school. Students must demonstrate financial need and potential for academic success.
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$90,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate and graduate students who reside in Norwich, Vermont. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate students who are seeking a degree in business or education. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available to Vermont high school seniors who currently attend either Springfield High School or a Windham County high school. Students must seek a bachelor of science degree in engineering or technology, and must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$1,500
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Iowa students who have graduated this year and will be attending an Iowa college. Students must have proven artistic ability in dance, literature, music, theatre, traditional arts, or the visual arts, and major in one of those areas.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available to Vermont high school seniors who demonstrate, through significant personal growth, public commitment, and/or activism, a dedication to the interests of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning community.
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$8,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available to high school seniors who reside in Rutland County, Vermont, or attend a Rutland County high school. Students must be seeking a degree in the arts, including (but not limited to) music, visual arts, dance, or theater; students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for female Vermont undergraduate students who are single parents with primary custody of one or more children 12 years of age or younger. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$250,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available to undergraduate students who reside in Windham County or Readsboro or Searsburg in Bennington County; preference is given to residents of Dover, Halifax, Readsboro, Searsburg, Whitingham, and Wilmington who are first generation, college-bound, and/or non-traditional students. All students must demonstrate financial need and school/community involvement.
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate students who are residents of Vermont's Upper Valley region. Students must demonstrate financial need and community service/involvement; preference will be given to students who are among the first generation in their families to attend college.
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$110,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate and graduate students who plan to enroll in a dental hygiene program. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$8,000
Award Amount
8
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate and graduate students who are seeking a degree in a field related to agriculture, including (but not limited to) animal sciences, equine studies, agribusiness, plant and soil science, forestry, horticulture, or veterinary medicine or technology.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate students seeking a degree in law enforcement. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate students who are dependents of a police officer who is an active member of the Vermont Police Association. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 12
Deadline
This award is available for Vermont undergraduate students who are seeking education or training in a field related to public safety, including, but not limited to, emergency services, law enforcement, and criminal justice. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate students who are dependents of a police officer who is an active member of the Vermont Police Association. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont high school seniors who are seeking an undergraduate degree in agriculture. Students must demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and community service.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont students who are seeking an undergraduate degree in nursing (practical nursing, licensed practical nursing, or registered nursing). Students must demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and community service.
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When you are starting your college journey, figuring out how to pay for it can feel daunting. Between scholarships, loans, and work-study programs, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. One of the best ways to fund your education—especially in your first year—is through grants. Unlike student loans, grants typically don’t need to be repaid, making them a valuable form of financial aid. In this guide, we’ll break down what grants are, where they come from, and how you can secure them to help cover your freshman-year expenses.
Types of Grants Available to College Freshmen
Federal Grants
Federal grants are often the first place freshmen turn for financial aid. The Pell Grant, one of the most common grants, is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate significant financial need. Because the maximum Pell Grant amount changes annually, it’s important to check the Federal Student Aid website for the most up-to-date information. To apply, students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it becomes available. Another federal grant is the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), which provides additional grant funds to low-income students who qualify for the Pell Grant. Since SEOG funding is limited and distributed by individual institutions, submitting the FAFSA early is crucial.
State-Sponsored Grants
Many states offer grants specifically for residents who plan to attend in-state colleges or universities. For example, California’s Cal Grant program supports students attending both public and private institutions who meet certain GPA and financial need criteria. New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps residents attending approved colleges and universities in the state. Eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts vary by state, so it is essential to review your state’s higher education agency website. In most cases, these state grants take into account both financial need and academic performance.
Institutional Grants for Freshmen
In addition to federal and state sources, colleges and universities themselves often award grants to attract and support promising freshmen. These grants may be awarded based on need, merit, or a combination of both. To find out what your prospective institution offers, start by reviewing the school’s financial aid webpage. It may also be helpful to contact a school’s financial aid office directly to inquire about freshman-specific grants. Some colleges automatically consider admitted students for their internal grant programs, while others may require separate applications. By exploring these institutional opportunities, you can discover valuable sources of funding tailored to your individual circumstances and academic profile.
Scholarships Applications Tips for College Freshmen
Scholarship applications can be daunting, and it can be difficult to know where to start. The following tips can help you navigate the scholarship application process:
- Start by doing your research. There are many different types of scholarships available, so it’s important to identify the ones that are most likely to be a good fit for you. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take the time to read through the eligibility requirements and application instructions carefully.
- Create a timeline for yourself. Applying for scholarships takes time and effort, so it’s important to create a timeline that will help you stay on track. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to gather all of the required materials and write a strong essay.
- Proofread your application thoroughly before submitting it. This may be one of the most important steps in the process, as even a small mistake could disqualify you from consideration. Be sure to ask someone else to read over your application as well, just to be sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Start Applying for Scholarships as a Freshman?
The answer is yes! Many scholarships may be available to students who are just beginning their college journey. However, it is important to note that the competition for scholarships might be fierce. To give yourself the best chance of success, you should start researching and applying for scholarships as early as possible. Many scholarships may require students to submit essays or personal statements, so it may also be important to begin working on your writing skills. If you start early and put in the effort, you could increase your chances of attaining a scholarship and help to relieve some of the financial burdens of paying for college.
Why It’s Important to Apply for Scholarships as a Freshman
Applying for scholarships as a freshman is important because it may give you the opportunity to receive financial aid. The earlier you start applying for scholarships, the better your chances often are of receiving one. Freshmen are usually unaware of the vast number of scholarships available to them, which is why it is so important to begin your search early. By starting your search early, you may increase your chances of finding scholarships that are a good fit for you and your academic interests. In short, applying for scholarships as a freshman is often an important step in ensuring that you can afford the college of your choice.
Benefits of Scholarships for College Freshmen
Scholarships often provide many benefits for college freshmen, including financial assistance, recognition, and opportunities. One of the most obvious benefits of scholarships is that they can help you pay for your education. With the rising cost of tuition, room, board, and other expenses, scholarships may be a much-needed source of financial assistance.
In addition to providing financial assistance, scholarships could also help you stand out from your peers. Scholarships are often awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence or have unique talents or abilities. Receiving a scholarship might give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs or graduate school.
Finally, scholarships may provide you with opportunities to get involved in your field of interest. Many scholarships may be awarded by organizations or companies that are related to the student’s field of study. For example, a student interested in engineering might receive a scholarship from an engineering firm. These types of scholarships often come with benefits like paid internships or the opportunity to shadow a professional in your field.
The sooner you begin looking for scholarships, the more likely you are to find ones that fit both your academic interests and preferences. Applying for scholarships during freshman year gives you the best chance of being able to finance your college education. By beginning your search early, you may have more time to put together a strong application with all the required materials.
Start applying for 2025 scholarships for college freshmen today!
There’s no time like the present to start looking for scholarships! The sooner you start the process, the more money you could potentially have for college. And don’t think that you have to be a straight-A student to qualify – there are usually scholarships available for all types of students, from those who excel in academics to those who are involved in extracurricular activities. So what are you waiting for? Take a few minutes each day to search for scholarships, and before you know it, you’ll have a stack of applications waiting to be filled out. Don’t wait until it’s too late – start applying for scholarships today!
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff